Method, apparatus and system for media registration setup using a developed image patch

Abstract

A method, apparatus and system for media registration setup, includes depositing developed image toner patch on a photoreceptor surface, such that the developed image patch overlaps two image panels on the photoreceptor surface. Performing toner image transfer on a media sheet in contact with the photoreceptor by applying electrostatic field to cause toner particles to migrate from the photoreceptor surface to the media. Following toner image transfer, the level of residual toner on the photoreceptor surfaces measured by sensors to determine alignment of a written lead edge and a target lead edge, the written lead edge corresponding to the lead edge of the media. The measurements are used to adjust the media registration setup such that the written lead edge corresponds to a given target lead edge.

1 . A method for media registration setup in an image recognition device having a photoreceptor, the photoreceptor having a plurality of image panels wherein at least two image panels are arranged adjacent to one another, each image panel having an edge, the method comprising:
 depositing a developed image patch on the photoreceptor surface;   carrying a media sheet to a transfer region, the transfer region being defined by the photoreceptor and a transfer belt, the media sheet having an edge;   transferring toner particles by applying an electric field to the media sheet;   sensing a written edge of the image patch;   judging alignment of the media sheet by determining a location of the written edge, which corresponds to the media sheet edge, relative to a target edge; and   adjusting alignment of the media sheet edge based on the judged alignment to effect overlap of the written edge with the target edge.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , the sensing the written edge further comprising detecting toner area concentration. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , the sensing the written edge further comprising differentiating between a plurality of toners to detect a toner concentration of each of the plurality of toners. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , the sensing the written edge further comprising determining a border of a high density residual toner image region of the image patch and low density residual toner image region of the image patch, the border corresponding to the written edge. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the edge of the sheet is a lead edge or a trail edge. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for media registration setup in an image recognition device having a photoreceptor, the photoreceptor having a plurality of image panels with at least two adjacent image panels, the photoreceptor being constructed to carry developed image toner particles; a media transfer belt, whereby the transfer belt carries a media sheet in contact with the photoreceptor, the photoreceptor and transfer belt arranged proximally to define a transfer region; and a charge roll applying electrostatic field to the media sheet in the transfer region to effect a transfer field to accommodate transfer of an amount of image toner particles, the apparatus comprising:
 sensors for sensing a border of a high density and a low density residual toner image on the image panel to deduce a location of a written edge of the image patch corresponding to an edge of the media sheet; and   a media registration adjustment controller to ensure that the written edge corresponds to a target edge on the photoreceptor.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus for media registration setup in the image recognition device of  claim 6 , wherein the sensors are ETAC sensors for sensing toner area concentration. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus for media registration setup in the image recognition device of  claim 6 , wherein the sensors are BTAC sensors for sensing toner area concentration. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus for media registration setup in the image recognition device of  claim 6 , wherein the edge of the media sheet is a lead edge. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus for media registration setup in the image recognition device of  claim 6 , wherein the edge of the media sheet is a trail edge. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus for media registration setup in the image recognition device of  claim 6 , wherein the edge of the media sheet is a side edge. 
   
   
       12 . A system for media registration setup in an image recognition device having a photoreceptor arranged proximally to an image transfer belt, the photoreceptor having a plurality of image panels, at least two of the image panels being adjacent to one another, the transfer belt constructed to carry a media sheet to a transfer region defined by the photoreceptor and the transfer belt and arranged to accommodate application of an electric field, the image recognition device further having a plurality of sensors arranged about the photoreceptor, the system comprising:
 means for depositing on a surface of the photoreceptor a developed image patch that overlaps at least two of the image panels;   means for applying an electric field to the media sheet as the media sheet passes through the transfer region to effect toner image transfer; and   means for sensing a residual image toner density to deduce the location of a written edge relative to a target edge on the photoreceptor surface.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , the means for sensing a residual image toner density comprising detecting toner area concentration. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , the means for sensing a residual image toner density comprising differentiating between a plurality of toners to detect a toner concentration of each of the plurality of toners. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , the means for sensing a residual image toner density comprising determining a border of a high density residual toner image region of the image patch and low density residual toner image region of the image patch, the border corresponding to the written edge.